Where Does Axel Store Its Config?
Axel reads /etc/axelrc system-wide plus ~/.axelrc per user; the shipped example documents every knob.
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Axel splits two tiny files: /etc/axelrc for system defaults, ~/.axelrc for personal ones. Connection counts, mirrors and output tweaks live there; anything richer goes on the command line.
Neither file is mandatory. Axel runs fine with compiled-in defaults, which is why fresh installs feel configless until you want persistent mirrors or throttling.
Where Axel stores this, by platform
~/.axelrc
Connections, mirrors, defaults. See the shipped example file for the full commented option list; flags override both files per run.
~/.axelrc
Same pair. System path may vary by build (check the man page FILES section); the home file location is stable.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I put personal Axel settings?
Copy the example (under /usr/share/doc/axel/examples/) to ~/.axelrc and edit the copy. System file sets defaults for everyone; the home file wins for you.
Does Axel keep a download database anywhere?
No. The files only set defaults like connections and mirrors; per-run flags always win. Axel otherwise downloads straight to the destination file with no staging.
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